K. C. M. G., P. C., Toronto, was born in
Scotland on the 12th of September, 1818. He comes of an ancient and sturdy
Scottish family, and in the markedly successful career which has been his,
exhibits the characteristics of his race. Our subject went to school in
Scotland, and completed his education at the Inverness Royal Academy. In
1835, with the thousands of others who were at this time turning their
faces towards the New World, he set sail, resolved to try his fortune in
Canada. Here was a new country large with promise and holding out
encouraging, nay, beseeching hands to courage and enterprise. Young
Macpherson was just the man for such a field. It would be difficult at
this distance to lay hold of every fact which would show the main-springs
of his success; but the chief results stand out. Early in his career he
took an earnest interest in public questions; and in 1864, three years
before Confederation, at the solicitation of many, friends he offered
himself, and was successful for the Sangeen Division, Lower Canada. He
held his seat in the old Canadian Parliament as member for Sangeen, till
1867, when he was called by Royal Proclamation to the Senate. He has now
amassed much wealth, was prominently connected with enterprises of
national importance, and stood in high repute among his fellow-countrymen.
It will be remembered that after the passage of the Act authorising the
Canadian Government to enter into contract with any Company for the
building of a railway from ocean to ocean, under the terms of the
agreement with British Columbia, Mr. Macpherson was the means of forming,
and was appointed president of an association known as the Interoceanic
Railway Company incorporated for the purpose of constructing this great
railway. The Government however did not conclude terms with the company,
but gave the preference, subsequently, to the organization under the
control of Sir Hugh Allan. Early in his commercial career Mr. Macpherson
associated himself with the well-known firm of Gzowaki & Co.,
contractors, who, it will be remembered, constructed several branches of
Canadian railways, and other important works. Mr. Macpherson's judgment
upon public questions, especially those relating to finance, commerce and
kindred subjects, have always been held in the highest regard. In 1868, he
was appointed arbitrator for the Province of Ontario, under the British
North American Act, "for the division and adjustment of the debts,
credits, liabilities and properties of Upper and Lower Canada". He
was likewise vice-president of the Montreal Board of Trade. He was taken a
deep interest in several social organizations and commercial institutions.
he is a director of Molsons Bank; of the Western Canada Permanent Loan and
Savings Company; of the Guarantee Company of North America, and has been
president of the St. Andrew's Society, Toronto. Mr. Macpherson has
exhibited a special talent for controversy on financial and commercial
questions; his contributions to the literature on these matters have been
very important. In 1869, he published a sounds, lucid and comprehensive
pamphlet on Banking and Currency; and between the years of 1877 and 1882,
he published a number of works on kindred topics, dealing in the same
searching and satisfactory manner with questions relating to public
expenditure. On the 10th of February, 1880, Mr. Macpherson was appointed
Speaker of the Senate, and member of the Executive Council without
portfolio, and this position he held till the 17th of October, 1883, when
he resigned the speakership and was appointed Minister of the Interior.
His long and important services in the country, both in politics and
commerce, pointed him our as one deserving of such additional honour as
the Crown is in the habit of bestowing upon those who have served in the
state honourably and with success, therefore, it was with no surprise
that, in 1884, it was learned that Her Majesty had been pleased to confer
the order of Knighthood upon the Honourable Mr. Macpherson. Our subject
married in June, 1844, Miss Elizabeth Sarah, eldest daughter of William
Molson, Esquire, of Montreal, and grand-daughter of the Hon. John Molson,
who had been a member of the Executive Council of Lower Canada, and
president of the Bank of Montreal. Latterly Sir David's health has not
been good, and he has been obliged to resign (1885) his position as
Minister of the Interior, and seek rest abroad from the gnawing cares of
political and commercial business. Sir David is a very tall, and has a
dignified and commanding appearance. One of his daughters, Miss Isabel, is
married to the Hon. George Kirkpatrick, Speaker of the House of Commons.

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